Interactive Retail Venue

ABSTRACT

According to one implementation, an interactive retail venue includes a computing platform interactively linked to a display screen, a lighting system, an audio system, a dynamic product display unit, and multiple product sensors. The computing platform includes a hardware processor and a memory storing a venue orchestration software code. The hardware processor executes the venue orchestration software code to receive sensor data from the product sensors, determine respective locations of retail products within the interactive retail venue based on the sensor data, and present a multi-media entertainment featuring the retail products using the display screen, the lighting system, and the audio system. The hardware processor further executes the venue orchestration software code to concurrently activate the dynamic product display unit if at least one of the retail products is situated within a predetermined distance of the dynamic product display unit.

BACKGROUND

The convenience and efficiency of e-commerce has had a devastatingimpact on traditional brick-and-mortar retail outlets, and has even cometo threaten their viability as a business model. Perhaps no effort onthe part of traditional retailers can enable an in-store shoppingexperience to compete with an online product search and purchase on thegrounds of speed or ease. Even the maintenance of an extensive inventoryof goods and the presence of a well trained and attentive sales staffmay be inadequate to overcome the inconvenience associated withtraveling to and from a brick-and-mortar retail outlet to complete apurchase.

If traditional retail outlets are in fact to survive and prosper, theymust offer customers a shopping experience including features thatcannot be readily replicated in an online environment. Thus, there is aneed for a commercial solution enabling a brick-and-mortar retail venueto provide an interactive experience sufficiently attractive to motivatepotential shoppers to do their browsing and purchasing in-store.

SUMMARY

There are provided interactive retail venues, substantially as shown inand/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and asset forth more completely in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an interactive retail venue, according to oneimplementation;

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of an exemplary venue orchestration software codesuitable for use by an interactive retail venue, according to oneimplementation;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary system and a computer-readable non-transitorymedium including instructions enabling execution of a method for use byan interactive retail venue, according to one implementation;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary interactive retail venue, according to oneimplementation; and

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart presenting an exemplary method for use by aninteractive retail venue, according to one implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description contains specific information pertaining toimplementations in the present disclosure. One skilled in the art willrecognize that the present disclosure may be implemented in a mannerdifferent from that specifically discussed herein. The drawings in thepresent application and their accompanying detailed description aredirected to merely exemplary implementations. Unless noted otherwise,like or corresponding elements among the figures may be indicated bylike or corresponding reference numerals. Moreover, the drawings andillustrations in the present application are generally not to scale, andare not intended to correspond to actual relative dimensions.

As described above, the convenience and efficiency of e-commerce has hada devastating impact on traditional brick-and-mortar retail outlets. Forexample, it seems that no effort on the part of traditional retailerscan enable an in-store shopping experience to compete with an onlineproduct search and purchase on the grounds of speed or ease.Consequently, even the maintenance of an extensive inventory of goodsand the presence of a well trained and attentive sales staff may beinadequate to overcome the inconvenience associated with traveling toand from a brick-and-mortar retail outlet to complete a purchase.

However, and as further described above, if traditional retail outletsare in fact to survive and prosper, they must offer customers a shoppingexperience including features that cannot be readily replicated in anonline environment. By creating a retail venue providing an immersiveand interactive customer experience that blends shopping withentertainment, the present application discloses such a commercialsolution. As a result, the present application advantageously disclosesa brick-and-mortar retail venue designed to provide an interactivecustomer experience sufficiently attractive to motivate potentialshoppers to do their browsing and purchasing in-store.

FIG. 1 shows diagram 100 of interactive retail venue 110, according toone implementation. As shown in FIG. 1, retail venue 110 includescomputing platform 102 interactively linked to display screen 112,lighting system 114, audio system 118, dynamic product display unit 120,and product sensors 124 of retail venue 110. As further shown in FIG. 1,computing platform 102 has hardware processor 104, and memory 106storing venue orchestration software code 140. Also shown in FIG. 1 arehaptic actuators 116 interactively linked to computing platform 102,haptic sensors 126, motorized retail product 130 in wirelesscommunication with computing platform 102, and customer 132 of retailvenue 110. In addition, FIG. 1 shows is product sensor data 122generated by product sensors 124, and haptic sensor data 128 generatedby haptic sensors 126.

FIG. 2 shows a more detailed diagram of exemplary venue orchestrationsoftware code 240 suitable for use by computing platform 102 of retailvenue 110, in FIG. 1, according to one exemplary implementation. Asshown in FIG. 2, venue orchestration software code 240 may receiveproduct sensor data 222 and/or haptic sensor data 228 from respectiveproduct sensors 124 and haptic sensors 126, in FIG. 1, as inputs. Asfurther shown in FIG. 2, venue orchestration software code 240 mayprovide display signal 212 as an output to display screen 112, lightingsignal 214 as an output to lighting system 114, and audio signal 218 asan output to audio system 118.

In addition, venue orchestration software code 240 may provide displayactivation signal 220 as an output to dynamic product display unit 120and/or product activation signal 230 to motorized retail product 130,based at least in part on product sensor data 222. Moreover, venueorchestration software code 240 may provide haptic activation signal 216as an output to one or more of haptic actuators 116, based at least inpart on haptic sensor data 228.

As shown in FIG. 2, according to the present exemplary implementation,venue orchestration software code 240 includes effects coordinationmodule 242, product locator module 244, haptics control module 246, andproduct activation module 248. Also shown in FIG. 2 are haptic effectsdata 243 and product effects data 245 generated by effects coordinationmodule 242, and product location data 247 is provided by product locatormodule 244.

Product sensor data 222, haptic sensor data 228, and venue orchestrationsoftware code 240 correspond respectively in general to product sensordata 122, haptic sensor data 128, and venue orchestration software code140, in FIG. 1, and those corresponding features may share any of thecharacteristics attributed to either corresponding feature by thepresent disclosure. Thus, although not explicitly shown in FIG. 1, likevenue orchestration software code 240, in FIG. 2, venue orchestrationsoftware code 140 includes features corresponding respectively toeffects coordination module 242, product locator module 244, hapticscontrol module 246, and product activation module 248.

FIG. 3 shows exemplary system 350 and computer-readable non-transitorymedium 308 including instructions enabling execution of a method for useby an interactive retail venue, such as retail venue 110, in FIG. 1,according to one implementation. System 350 includes computing platform352 having hardware processor 354 and memory 356, interactively linkedto computer monitor 358. Computing platform 352 having hardwareprocessor 354 and memory 356, corresponds in general to computingplatform 102 having hardware processor 104 and memory 106, in FIG. 1.

Also shown in FIG. 3 is computer-readable non-transitory medium 308having venue orchestration software code 340 stored thereon. Theexpression “computer-readable non-transitory medium,” as used in thepresent application, refers to any medium, excluding a carrier wave orother transitory signal, that provides instructions to hardwareprocessor 354 of computer platform 352. Thus, a computer-readablenon-transitory medium may correspond to various types of media, such asvolatile media and non-volatile media, for example. Volatile media mayinclude dynamic memory, such as dynamic random access memory (dynamicRAM), while non-volatile memory may include optical, magnetic, orelectrostatic storage devices. Common forms of computer-readablenon-transitory media include, for example, optical discs, RAM,programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), and FLASHmemory.

According to the implementation shown in FIG. 3, computer-readablenon-transitory medium 308 provides venue orchestration software code 340for execution by hardware processor 354 of computing platform 352. Venueorchestration software code 340 corresponds in general to venueorchestration software code 140/240, in FIGS. 1/2, and is capable ofperforming all of the operations attributed to those correspondingfeatures by the present disclosure. In other words, in implementationsin which hardware processor 354 of computing platform 352 accessescomputer-readable non-transitory medium 308 and executes venueorchestration software code 140/240/340, computing platform 352 mayperform any of the actions attributed to computing platform 102 ofretail venue 110 by the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows exemplary interactive retail venue 410, according to oneimplementation. As shown in FIG. 4, retail venue 410. which may be abrick-and-mortar store, for example, includes floor 462, exemplary walls464 a and 464 b, and ceiling 465. In addition, retail venue 410 includesdisplay screen 412, lighting system 414, audio system 418, dynamicproduct display unit 420, and product sensors 424 a, 424 b, 424 c(hereinafter “product sensors 424 a-424 c”). Also shown in FIG. 4 aremotorized retail products 430, each including optional product sensor424 d, retail products 470, which may be non-motorized retail products,video camera 472, and customer 432 of retail venue 410 corresponding tocustomer 132 of retail venue 110, in FIG. 1.

As further shown in FIG. 4, retail venue 410 includes haptic sensors426, and haptic actuators 416 in a variety of implementational settings.Moreover, and as also shown in FIG. 4, retail venue 410 includes seatingstructure 466, which may be a chair or bench, for example, havingseating surfaces 468 a and 468 b. It is noted that although FIG. 4 showsseating structure 466 as a single structure, that representation ismerely provided in the interests of conceptual clarity. In otherimplementations, retail venue 410 may include multiple seatingstructures corresponding to seating structure 466. That is to say,retail venue 410 may include one or more benches and/or one or morechairs for the use, comfort, and entertainment of customer 132/432.

According to the exemplary implementation shown in FIG. 4, hapticsensors 426 may be situated in various locations in retail venue 410.For example, haptic sensors 426 may be embedded in or under floor 462 tosense the location of customer 132/432 on floor 462. Alternatively, orin addition, haptic sensors 426 may be implemented in seating surfaces468 a and/or 468 b to detect use of seating structure 466 by customer132/432.

Haptic actuators 416 may have differing sizes and may be implemented soas to have differing orientations. For example, one or more of hapticactuators 416 may be implemented in wall 464 a and/or 464 b.Alternatively, or in addition, one or more larger haptic actuators 416may be embedded in or under floor 462. For example, haptic actuators 416embedded in or under floor 462 of retail venue 410 can be utilized toproduce haptic effects experienced by customer 132/432 as customer132/432 stands on floor 462. In addition, or alternatively, hapticactuators 416 embedded in or under floor 462 of retail venue 410 can beutilized produce haptic effects experienced by customer 132/432 whilecustomer 132/432 is seated on seating structure 466.

In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 4, haptic actuators 416 may beoriented such that the haptic effects they produce are appliedsubstantially perpendicular to the surfaces or objects in which they aresituated. Thus, haptic actuators 416 may produce effects that areperceived by customer 432 of retail venue 410 to be produced by seatingstructure 466, walls 464 a and/or 464 b, and/or floor 462.

Retail venue 410 corresponds in general to retail venue 110, in FIG. 1,and those corresponding features may share any of the characteristicsattributed to either corresponding feature by the present disclosure.That is to say, although not explicitly shown in FIG. 4, like retailvenue 110, in FIG. 1, retail venue 410 includes a computing platformcorresponding to computing platform 102/352 having hardware processor104/354, and memory 106/356 storing venue orchestration software code is140/240/340. Moreover, like computing platform 102, the computingplatform of retail venue 410 is interactively linked to display screen412, lighting system 414, audio system 418, dynamic product display unit420, product sensors 424 a-424 c and 424 d, haptic actuators 416, andhaptic sensors 426.

In addition, display screen 412, lighting system 414, audio system 418,dynamic product display unit 420, and product sensors 424 a-424 c and424 d correspond respectively in general to display screen 112, lightingsystem 114, audio system 118, dynamic product display unit 120, andproduct sensors 124 in FIG. 1, and those corresponding features mayshare any of the characteristics attributed to either correspondingfeature by the present disclosure. Moreover, haptic actuators 416,haptic sensors 426, and motorized retail products 430 correspondrespectively to haptic actuators 116, haptic sensors 126, and motorizedretail product 130, in FIG. 1. Thus, like motorized retail product 130,motorized retail products 430 may be in wireless communication withcomputing platform 102/352.

The functionality of interactive retail venue 110/410 will be furtherdescribed by reference to FIG. 5 in combination with FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and4. FIG. 5 shows flowchart 580 presenting an exemplary method for use byinteractive retail venue 110/410, according to one implementation. Withrespect to the method outlined in FIG. 5, it is noted that certaindetails and features have been left out of flowchart 580 in order not toobscure the discussion of the inventive features in the presentapplication.

Referring to FIG. 5 in combination with FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, flowchart580 begins with receiving sensor data 122/222 from product sensors124/424 a-424 c/424 d of interactive retail venue 110/410 (action 582).Product sensors 124/424 a-424 c may be situated in various locationswithin retail venue 110/410 at which retail products 470 are placed fordisplay to customer 132/432. In some implementations, motorized retailproducts 130/430 may be optionally equipped with product sensors 424 dthat move with motorized retail products 130/430 when and if motorizedproducts 130/430 are activate as to move within retail venue 110/410.

Product sensors 424 d are wireless sensors wirelessly coupled tocomputing platform 102/352, while product sensors 124/424 a-424 c may bewirelessly coupled to computing platform 102/352 or may be coupled tocomputing platform 102/352 via one or more wired connections. Sensordata 122/222 may be received from product sensors 124/424 a-424 c/424 dby venue orchestration software code 140/240/340, executed by hardwareprocessor 104/354 of computing platform 102/352.

Flowchart 580 continues with determining the respective locations ofretail products 470 and/or motorized retail products 130/430 withinretail venue 110/410 based on sensor data 122/222 (action 584).Referring to FIG. 4, according to the exemplary implementation shown inthat figure, retail products 470 are situated on dynamic product displayunit 120/420 for display to customer 132/432. Moreover, according to theexemplary implementation shown in FIG. 4, dynamic product display unit120/420 is designed to hold three of retail products 470 at locationscorresponding respectively to each of product sensors 424 a-424 c. As aresult, when dynamic product display unit 120/420 is fully stocked withretail products 470, a respective one of retail products 470 is situatedover each of product sensors 424 a-424 c.

However, due for example to sales of retail products 470, or todisplacement of one or more of retail products 470 from dynamic productdisplay unit 120/420, one or more of the locations for display of retailproducts 470 provided by dynamic product display unit 120/420 may betemporarily unoccupied. Furthermore, the occupancy of dynamic productdisplay unit 120/420 by retail products 470 may be highly variable overthe course of a normal retail sales business day. For example, and asshown by FIG. 4, during some time interval, one of retail products 470is situated over each of product sensors 424 a and 424 c, but retailproduct 470 normally situated over product sensor 424 b is absent.

It is noted that although the implementation shown in FIG. 4 depictssingle dynamic product display unit 120/420 designed to display three ofretail products 470, that simplified representation is provided merelyfor conceptual clarity. More generally, retail venue 110/410 includesmany product display units, several of which may correspond to dynamicproduct display unit 120/420. Moreover, each of dynamic product displayunits 120/420, which may be platforms or shelved display units, forexample, may be designed to store more, such as many more than three ofretail products 470.

In implementations in which retail venue 110/410 includes motorizedretail products 130/430 optionally equipped with product sensors 424 d,sensor data 122/222 may be used to track the movements of motorizedretail products 130/430 within retail venue 110/410. Determination ofthe respective locations of retail products 470 and/or motorized retailproducts 130/430 within retail venue 110/410 may be performed by venueorchestration software code 140/240/340, executed by hardware processor104/354 of computing platform 102/352, and using product locator module244.

Thus, in the exemplary implementation shown in FIG. 4, venueorchestration software code 140/240/340, executed by hardware processor104/354 and using product locator module 244 determines that retailproducts 470 are located over product sensors 424 a and 424 c, but thatno retail product 470 is located over product sensor 424 b. In addition,venue orchestration software code 140/240/340, executed by hardwareprocessor 104/354 and using product locator module 244 may determinethat motorized retail products 130/430 are located adjacent seatingstructure 466.

Flowchart 580 continues with presenting a multi-media entertainmentfeaturing retail products 470 and/or motorized retail products 130/430using display screen 112/412, lighting system 114/414, and audio system118/418 (action 586). Display screen 112/412 may be a large, wallmounted or wall inset display screen, for example. In someimplementations, for instance, display screen 112/412 may occupysubstantially all of wall 464 b of retail venue 110/410. Display screen112/412 may take the form of a liquid crystal display (LCD), alight-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light-emitting diode(OLED) display, or another suitable display screen that performs aphysical transformation of signals to light.

Lighting system 114/414 may be mounted on or adjacent to ceiling 465 ofretail venue 110/410, may include multiple light sources, and may beconfigured to provide light of varying intensity and varying colors, forexample. For instance, lighting system 114/414 may include smallspotlights configured to provide directional lighting that can be turnedon or off, or be selectively dimmed and brightened to emphasize one ormore of retail products 470 and/or motorized retail products 130/430.

Audio system 118/418 may be a venue wide audio system, such as a theaterquality Dolby® high definition (HD) surround-sound system, for example.Moreover, audio system 118/418 may include a library of stored audiorecordings that can be played back through audio speakers near one ormore retail products 470 and/or motorized retail products 130/430 inorder to emphasize those products.

In some implementations, lighting system 114/414 and audio system118/418 may be synchronized with display screen 112/412 to produce animmersive multi-media environment within retail venue 110/410. Themulti-media entertainment featuring retail products 470 and/or motorizedretail products 130/430 may take place for a predetermined period oftime, such as approximately five minutes, for example, and may berepeated at intervals during the day.

In implementations in which retail products 470 and/or motorized retailproducts 130/430 are movie themed retail products, for example, themulti-media entertainment provided using display screen 112/412,lighting system 114/414, and audio system 118/418 may relate to themovie corresponding to retail products 470 and/or motorized retailproducts 130/430. For instance, the multi-media entertainment mayinclude showing images from the corresponding movie on display screen112/412, and/or substantially reproducing, or at least simulating,visual effects from the corresponding movie using lighting system114/414, and/or playing a portion or portions of the movie soundtrackusing audio system 118/418.

The multi-media entertainment featuring retail products 470 and/ormotorized retail products 130/430 may be presented by venueorchestration software code 140/240/340, executed by hardware processor104/354 of computing platform 102/352, and using effects coordinationmodule 242, in combination with display screen 112/412, lighting system114/414, and audio system 118/418. That is to say, venue orchestrationsoftware code 140/240/340 may utilize effects coordination module 242 toprovide display signal 212, lighting signal 214, and audio signal 218 asrespective outputs to display screen 112/412, lighting system 114/414,and audio system 118/418 for producing the multi-media entertainment.

In some implementations, Flowchart 580 can conclude with concurrentlyactivating dynamic product display unit 120/420 if one or more of retailproducts 470 and/or motorized retail products 130/430 is situated withina predetermined distance of dynamic product display unit 120/420 (action588). Dynamic product display unit 120/420 may be designed to move whenactivated by venue orchestration software code 140/240/340, executed byhardware processor 104/354 of computing platform 102/352. For example,dynamic product display unit 120/420 may include a display platformconfigured to move up and down, and/or forward and backward, and/or totilt and/or turn, as well as to execute complex combinations of thosemovements. Alternatively, or in addition, dynamic product display unit120/420 may be equipped with lights, such as flashing lights, and/orspeakers or other audio output devices.

Activating dynamic product display unit 120/420 may include causingdynamic product display unit 120/420 to be raised, lowered, extendedforward or backward, tilted, turned, and/or spun, and/or to emit lightand/or sound for attracting attention to retail products 470 and/ormotorized retail products 130/430 concurrently with presentation of themulti-media entertainment in action 586, described above. Activation ofdynamic product display unit 120/420 may be performed by venueorchestration software code 140/240/340, executed by hardware processor104/354 of computing platform 102/352, and using product activationmodule 242.

The predetermined distance for triggering activation of dynamic productdisplay unit 120/420 may be different for retail products 470 andmotorized retail products 130/430. For example, dynamic product displayunit 120/420 may be activated for attracting attention to retailproducts 470 only when one or more of retail products 470 are stocked ondynamic product display unit 120/420, i.e., one or more of retailproducts 470 are physically situated on dynamic product display unit120/420. However, in some implementations, even when retail products 470are completely absent from dynamic product display unit 120/420, dynamicproduct display unit 120/420 may be activated for attracting attentionto motorized retail products 130/430 if one or more of motorized retailproducts 130/430 is within a predetermined linear distance of dynamicproduct display unit 120/420.

Venue orchestration software code 140/240/340 may utilize effectscoordination module 242 in conjunction with product locator module 244and product activation module 248 to activate dynamic product displayunit 120/420 concurrently with presentation of the multi-mediaentertainment in action 586. For example, effects coordination module242 may send product effects data 245 commanding activation of dynamicproduct display unit 120/420 to product activation module 248. Productactivation module 248 may then provide display activation signal 220 asan output to dynamic product display unit or units 120/420 based onproduct location data 247 provided by product locator module 244.

As a specific, non-limiting, example of a Star Wars® themed multi-mediaentertainment including activation of dynamic product display unit120/420 provided for conceptual clarity, retail products 470 may benon-motorized “passive” products, incapable of autonomous movement, andincluding one or more Darth Vader® doll, and a number of StormTrooper®dolls. A Darth Vader® doll is situated on dynamic product display unit120/420 in the form of a platform that can tilt the doll forward orbackward and twist from side to side.

According to this exemplary implementation, an in-store multi-mediaentertainment may start with lighting system 114/414, controlled byvenue orchestration software code 140/240/340, causing the generallighting in the local retail sales area being dimmed, and a spotlight onthe Darth Vader® doll being lighted or brightened. Audio system 118/418,controlled by venue orchestration software code 140/240/340, broadcaststhe voice of Darth Vader® commanding “StormTroopers, ATTENTION!!” As theDarth Vader® doll continues to simulate is speech, dynamic productdisplay unit 120/420 can tilt the doll forward and backward, causing theDarth Vader® doll to appear to rock forward and back as it speaks.

Lighting system 114/414 may then cause the spotlight on the Darth Vader®doll to dim somewhat, while concurrently illuminating the StormTrooper®dolls. As the lights come up on the StormTrooper® dolls, which mayinitially be in a reclined sales display position on another of dynamicproduct display units 120/420, the StormTrooper® dolls may be tiltedupward by dynamic product display units 120/420 so as to appear to bestanding upright. Audio system 118/418 may then broadcast the sound of achorus of StormTroopers® shouting “YES SIR!!” in response to the DarthVader® doll's apparent command.

Lighting system 114/414 may then cause the spotlight on the Darth Vader®doll to brighten as audio system 118/418 broadcasts the voice of DarthVader® commanding: “MARCH!!!” The dynamic product display unit 120/420on which the StormTrooper® dolls are situated can then be caused to tiltthose dolls forward and backward to simulate their marching. It isemphasized that the foregoing is merely an example of possibly much morecomplex interactions that can appear to go on between nominally passiveretail products 470, effectively making them appear to come to life, dueto activation of dynamic product display unit 120/420 by venueorchestration software code 140/240/340.

In addition to activating dynamic product display unit or units 120/420,in some implementations, venue orchestration software code 140/240/340,executed by hardware processor 104/354 of computing platform 102/352,may activate motorized is retail products 130/430 to move concurrentlywith presentation of the multi-media entertainment in action 586. Forexample, effects coordination module 242 may send product effects data245 commanding activation of motorized retail products 130/430 toproduct activation module 248. Product activation module 248 may thenprovide product activation signal 230 as a wireless output to one ormore of motorized retail products 130/430 based on product location data247 provided by product locator module 244.

In some implementations, venue orchestration software code 140/240/340,executed by hardware processor 104/354 of computing platform 102/352,may activate at least one of haptic actuators 116/416 to produce ahaptic effect within retail venue 110/410. Moreover, in someimplementations, such a haptic effect may be produced duringpresentation of the multi-media entertainment of action 586.

For example, venue orchestration software code 140/240/340 may receivehaptic sensor data 128/228 from haptic sensors 116/416, and may identifyone or more of haptic actuators 116/416 for activation based on hapticsensor data 128/228. That is to say, effects coordination module 242 maysend haptic effects data 243 commanding the generation of haptic effectsto haptics control module 246. Haptics control module 246 may thenprovide haptic activation signal 216 as an output to one or more ofhaptic actuators 116/416 based on haptic sensor data 128/228 provided byhaptic sensors 126/426.

As noted above, in some implementations, haptic actuators 116/416 may beimplemented in one or more of floor 462 and walls 464 a and 464 b ofretail venue 110/410. As further noted above, in some implementations,the haptic effect produced using haptic actuators 116/416 may beexperienced by customer 132/432 of retail venue seated 110/410 seated onseating structure 466 of retail venue 110/410, which may be a bench or achair, for example.

As a specific example, haptic sensor data 128/228 received from hapticsensors 126/426 during presentation of the multi-media entertainment inaction 586 may register pressure being applied to seating surface 468 aand/or seating surface 468 b of seating structure 466, indicating thatcustomer 132/432 is seated on seating structure 466 during themulti-media entertainment. As a result, haptic activation signal 216 maycause haptic actuators 116/416 situated under seating structure 466 tocause seating structure 466 to move, such as to vibrate, rock, orotherwise undergo one or more temporary displacements.

Consequently, customer 132/432 can advantageously be further entertainedby experiencing a haptic effect during presentation of the multi-mediaentertainment. Moreover, in some implementations, the haptic effectexperienced by customer 132/432 may be modulated so as to besubstantially synchronized with the multi-media entertainment presentedusing display screen 112/412, lighting system 114/414 and audio system118/418 so as to render the entertainment an even more immersiveexperience within retail venue 110/410.

As a specific example of use of seating structure 466 in combinationwith haptic actuators 116/416, display screen 112/412, and audio system118/418, in one implementation, seating structure 466 may be a benchsituated so as to face display screen 112/412. Customer 132/432 ofretail venue 110/410 may be seated on the bench.

Video camera 472 can be used to observe seated customer 132/432 from aviewpoint close to display screen 112/412. The customer 132/432 on thebench may then be shown a large-scale video “mirror view” of themselves(as though looking into a mirror) on display screen 112/412. The videocoming from video camera 472 can have a new “cartoon” character added toit by computing platform 102.

In one implementation, computing platform 102 can determine where theimage of customer 132/432 is on display screen 112/412, so that thecartoon character can appear to walk in front of customer 132/432 andobscure him or her, or to appear to walk behind customer 132/432 and beobscured in the reflection. Customer 132/432 will perceive the cartooncharacter as inhabiting retail venue 110/410 with customer 132/432,because customer 132/432 sees the cartoon character in the “mirror”produced using display screen 112/412 along with their own reflection.

Furthermore, for example, in one implementation, the cartoon characterin the mirror may appear to sit next to customer 132/432 on the bench.If the cartoon character then appears to rap on or knock on the benchspace between the image of customer 132/432 and itself, one or more ofhaptic actuators 116/416 in or under the bench can produce a real thumpon the bottom of the bench where the cartoon character appeared to hitit. That haptic effect may be accompanied by an audible thumping orknocking sound, produced by audio system 118/418, thereby surprisingcustomer 132/432 and leading customer 132/432 to believe that althoughhe or she cannot see the cartoon character, nevertheless it is real, andoccupying the physical world of retail venue 110/410 with customer132/432.

Thus, the present application discloses commercial solutions providing ashopping experience that includes features that cannot be readilyreplicated in an online environment. The retail venues disclosed in thepresent application provide immersive and interactive customerexperiences that blend shopping with entertainment. As a result, thepresent application advantageously discloses brick-and-mortar retailvenues providing interactive experiences sufficiently attractive tomotivate potential shoppers to do their browsing and purchasingin-store.

From the above description it is manifest that various techniques can beused for implementing the concepts described in the present applicationwithout departing from the scope of those concepts. Moreover, while theconcepts have been described with specific reference to certainimplementations, a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognizethat changes can be made in form and detail without departing from thescope of those concepts. As such, the described implementations are tobe considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Itshould also be understood that the present application is not limited tothe particular implementations described herein, but manyrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions are possible withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An interactive retail venue comprising: acomputing platform interactively linked to a display screen, a lightingsystem, an audio system, a dynamic product display unit, and a pluralityof product sensors; the computing platform having a hardware processorand a memory storing a venue orchestration software code; the hardwareprocessor configured to execute the venue orchestration software codeto: receive a sensor data from the plurality of product sensors;determine respective locations of a plurality of retail products withinthe interactive retail venue based on the sensor data; present amulti-media entertainment featuring the plurality of retail productsusing the display screen, the lighting system, and the audio system; andconcurrently activate the dynamic product display unit if at least oneof the plurality of retail products is situated within a predetermineddistance of the dynamic product display unit.
 2. The interactive retailvenue of claim 1, wherein the plurality of retail products are situatedon the dynamic product display unit and comprise non-motorized productsincapable of autonomous movement, and wherein the dynamic productdisplay unit is configured to perform at least one of an up and downmovement, a forward and backward movement, tilting, and turning.
 3. Theinteractive retail venue of claim 1, further comprising a plurality ofhaptic actuators, wherein the hardware processor is further configuredto execute the venue orchestration software code to activate at leastone of the plurality of haptic actuators to produce a haptic effect. 4.The interactive retail venue of claim 3, wherein the venue orchestrationsoftware code causes the at least one of the plurality of hapticactuators to produce the haptic effect during presentation of themulti-media entertainment.
 5. The interactive retail venue of claim 3,further comprising a plurality of haptic sensors, wherein the hardwareprocessor is further configured to execute the venue orchestrationsoftware code to: receive a haptic sensor data from the plurality ofhaptic sensors; and identify the at least one of the plurality of hapticactuators for activation based on the haptic sensor data.
 6. Theinteractive retail venue of claim 3, wherein the plurality of hapticactuators are implemented in at least one of a floor and a wall of theinteractive retail venue.
 7. The interactive retail venue of claim 3,further comprising at least one of a bench and a chair, and wherein thehaptic effect is experienced by a customer of the interactive retailvenue seated on the at least one of the bench and the chair.
 8. A methodfor use by an interactive retail venue including a computing platforminteractively linked to a display screen, a lighting system, an audiosystem, a dynamic product display unit, and a plurality of productsensors, the computing platform having a hardware processor and a memorystoring a venue orchestration software code, the method comprising:receiving, using the hardware processor, a sensor data from theplurality of product sensors; determining, using the hardware processor,respective locations of a plurality of retail products within theinteractive retail venue based on the sensor data; presenting, using thehardware processor, a multi-media entertainment featuring the pluralityof retail products using the display screen, the lighting system, andthe audio system; and concurrently activating, using the hardwareprocessor, the dynamic product display unit if at least one of theplurality of retail products is situated within a predetermined distanceof the dynamic product display unit.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinthe plurality of retail products are situated on the dynamic productdisplay unit and comprise non-motorized products incapable of autonomousmovement, and wherein the dynamic product display unit is configured toperform at least one of an up and down movement, a forward and backwardmovement, tilting, and turning.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein theinteractive retail venue further comprises a plurality of hapticactuators, and wherein the method further comprises activating, usingthe hardware processor, at least one of the plurality of hapticactuators to produce a haptic effect.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the haptic effect is produced during presentation of themulti-media entertainment.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein theinteractive retail venue further comprises a plurality of hapticsensors, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving, using thehardware processor, a haptic sensor data from the plurality of hapticsensors; and identifying, using the hardware processor, the at least oneof the plurality of haptic actuators for activation based on the hapticsensor data.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of hapticactuators are implemented in at least one of a floor and a wall of theinteractive retail venue.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein theinteractive retail venue further comprises at least one of a bench and achair, and wherein the haptic effect is experienced by a customer of theinteractive retail venue seated on the at least one of the bench and thechair.
 15. A computer-readable non-transitory medium having storedthereon instructions, which when executed by a hardware processor,instantiate a method comprising: receiving a sensor data from aplurality of product sensors; determining respective locations of aplurality of retail products within an interactive retail venue based onthe sensor data; presenting a multi-media entertainment featuring theplurality of retail products using a display screen, a lighting system,and an audio system of the interactive retail venue; and concurrentlyactivating a dynamic product display unit of the interactive retailvenue if at least one of the plurality of retail products is situatedwithin a predetermined distance of the dynamic product display unit. 16.The computer-readable non-transitory medium of claim 15, wherein theplurality of retail products are situated on the dynamic product displayunit and comprise non-motorized products incapable of autonomousmovement, and wherein the dynamic product display unit is configured toperform at least one of an up and down movement, a forward and backwardmovement, tilting, and turning.
 17. The computer-readable non-transitorymedium of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises activating atleast one of a plurality of haptic actuators to produce a haptic effectduring presentation of the multi-media entertainment.
 18. Thecomputer-readable non-transitory medium of claim 17, wherein the hapticeffect is produced during presentation of the multi-media entertainment.19. The computer-readable non-transitory medium of claim 17, wherein themethod further comprises: receiving a haptic sensor data from aplurality of haptic sensors; and identifying the at least one of theplurality of haptic actuators for activation based on the haptic sensordata.
 20. The computer-readable non-transitory medium of claim 17,wherein the plurality of haptic actuators are implemented in at leastone of a floor and a wall of an interactive retail venue the multi-mediaentertainment is presented.